Overview
In Antisemitism, an American Tradition, scholar Pamela S. Nadell investigates the depth of this fraught history. She explores how Jews fought antisemitism through the law and by creating organizations to speak for them. Jews would also fight back with their fists or join with allies in fighting all types of hate. This momentous work sounds the alarm on a hatred that continues to plague our country.
Antisemitism, an American Tradition is scheduled to be released in October 2025.
Reviews
“A searching history of religious intolerance in putatively pluralist America. . . An urgent and provocative work on the history of hostility to American Jews.” ― Kirkus
“At a time when antisemitic incidents are on the rise, Nadell has, to her great credit, catalogued a disturbing side of American history that adds nuance to the widespread belief that the American experience has been a uniquely welcoming one for Jew.”― Hadassah Magazine
“In her timely – and unfortunately timeless – new book, “Antisemitism, An American Tradition, Professor Pamela Nadell asserts that until recently, American Jews believed that the worst antisemitism was behind us….Her 250 pages, covering 370 years, detail how, from the very beginning, Jews have experienced antisemitism.”―Times Of Israel
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Advance Praise
“This is the book that the world needs now, a bracing narrative of dark chapters from America’s past–history which continues to stalk the nation. Nadell writes with command and a detective’s sense for where buried episodes of antisemitism can be found.”
― Franklin Foer, author of The Last Politician: Inside Joe Biden’s White House and the Struggle for America’s Future
“Today it has become common to hear people lament the rise of American antisemitism with words akin to “I never thought I would see this in America.” Pamela Nadell, with her well-proven skill of making the historically complex highly accessible, demonstrates that this is not a new phenomenon. it is an American tradition. Anyone who has been scared, perplexed, or surprised by the current expressions of antisemitism in America should read this book. Anyone who has not, should read it as well.”
―Ambassador Deborah E. Lipstadt, author of Antisemitism: Here and Now
“Congratulations to Pamela Nadell for a well-documented book on the always present disease of antisemitism in America and how it has metastasized in lost opportunities and violence during our country’s 250-plus year history. The illustrative examples powerfully demonstrate the historic and current challenges for Jews in America.”
― Former Senator Ben Cardin, Maryland
“Pamela S. Nadell understands that ‘antisemitism was and remains a powerful American tradition.’ In this timely and comprehensive book, she courageously bares that tradition, unveiling a darker side of American Jewish history that has, for far too long, lain hidden from view.”
― Jonathan D. Sarna, author of American Judaism
“No book could be more timely than Pamela Nadell’s magisterial history of American antisemitism. Reading her meticulous account of over two centuries of anti-Jewish rhetoric, agitation, and physical violence helps us to better understand the nature of today’s antisemitism.”
― Michael Brenner, author of In Hitler’s Munich
Product Details
- Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (October 14, 2025)
- Hardcover 352 pages
- ISBN-10: 1324050640
- ISBN-13: 978-1324050643
Book Events
Highlights of Pamela Nadell’s book tour include conversations with The Atlantic‘s Franklin Foer at New York’s Center for Jewish History on September 29, former Maryland Center Ben Cardin at Washington, DC’s Politics and Prose Book Store on October 14, and The New York Times’s Bret Stephens at Pittsburgh’s The Tree of Life of October 19. Already, more than fifty book events are scheduled. Visit Events page to see the full list.
October 14, 2025 Date of Publication of Antisemitism, an American Tradition – Book Tour Starts!
October 14, 2025 Antisemitism, an American Tradition Book Launch with Senator Ben Cardin at Politics and Prose, Washington, DC
October 15, 2025 Antisemitism, an American Tradition Book Launch at Washington Hebrew Congregation, Washington, DC
October 19, 2025 Antisemitism, an American Tradition Book Launch at The Tree of Life, Pittsburgh, PA
October 20, 2025 Antisemitism, an American Tradition Book Launch, University of Connecticut/Mandell Jewish Community Center, West Hartford, CT
October 23, 2025 Antisemitism, an American Tradition Virtual Book Launch, American Jewish Committee